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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Fraud email example:

From: "lottery promo" <lotto_promo@cheerfulgate.net>
Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 01:08:58 +0000
Subject: WINNING CONFIRMATION NOTICE

VICTORY LOTTO POOL

AV 5 CASTILLA MADRID SPAIN
FROM:CHEERFULGATE AWARD DEPT.
REF: SUN/2010-968091/03
BATCH: 54/010/IPD
DATE:06/09/2005

RE: EMAIL WINNING CONFIRMATION NOTICE
We are glad to inform you that your e-mail address appearsas the
confirmed Winner of our last VICTORYPOOL e-mail lotteryprogram held on
the 5th August 2005.Your e-mail address attached to ticket number
20675543256-786 with Serial number 3765-75 drew lucky numbers
7-12-18-24-32-45, which Consequently won in the 2nd category, you have
therefore been approved for a lump sum payment of one million,five
hundred thousand united state dollars(US$1.5,000.000).
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
This promotional program takes place every year. All participants were
selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 100,000
companies and 50,000, 000 individual e-mail addresses and names from
all over the world.
In order to avoid unnecessary delays and complications please remember
to quote your reference number and batch numbers in all
correspondence.We ask that you keep your winning information confidential
until your
claims has been processed and your money remitted to you. Remember all
winnings must be claimed not later than 30th of September 2005.After this
date
all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.To file for your
claim or for further details, please contact our agent Mrs.Annah Winthrop at
anny_wind@yahoo.co.uk In respect of our commitment towards helping
the less previledge, we ask that you voluntarily contribute 1% of your
Global
winnings to any charity organization you desire at your convinience.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff.

Mr.HARRISON GOLDSMITH
Global Winning co-ordinator


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